I didn't think it would happen, but it has.
My momma hen was allowed out to free range with her 9 chicks over the last few days. the grass is very long and lush in places and she has been taking them into the long grass a lot.
Yesterday morning I noticed that one of the chicks was not interested in food and was quite floppy. I picked her up to fine a large, squishy crop.I was not really sure whether she was big enough to treat with the 'oil and massage treatment' I used on a large adult hen last year, but given that she was so lethargic thought it was worth a go. I carefully syringed in a small amount of olive oil and massaged her little crop. Then, as she showed no signs of drinking, syringed in 0.2 mls of sugar water every 2 hours. Last night and again this morning, I repeated the olive oil as the crop was still very full this morning.
She seemed brighter, so I went into the compost heap and dug out about 5 little compost worms which she duly ate. A little while later I gave her a few more, then I returned her to momma hen since tis time she has followed momma around and is pecking and eating again.
It seems to have worked.....but I hope she will avoid the long grass now.
My momma hen was allowed out to free range with her 9 chicks over the last few days. the grass is very long and lush in places and she has been taking them into the long grass a lot.
Yesterday morning I noticed that one of the chicks was not interested in food and was quite floppy. I picked her up to fine a large, squishy crop.I was not really sure whether she was big enough to treat with the 'oil and massage treatment' I used on a large adult hen last year, but given that she was so lethargic thought it was worth a go. I carefully syringed in a small amount of olive oil and massaged her little crop. Then, as she showed no signs of drinking, syringed in 0.2 mls of sugar water every 2 hours. Last night and again this morning, I repeated the olive oil as the crop was still very full this morning.
She seemed brighter, so I went into the compost heap and dug out about 5 little compost worms which she duly ate. A little while later I gave her a few more, then I returned her to momma hen since tis time she has followed momma around and is pecking and eating again.
It seems to have worked.....but I hope she will avoid the long grass now.
